The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-14
COMRADES MEET ONCE MORE
The Seventeen Indiana Veterans Spend
a Day Together at Irvington,
And Survivors of the Third Indiana Cavalry
Hold Their Annual Reunion in This City
What the Veterans Talked About.

Tho people of Irvineton, particularly the Ia
dies took great interest in the reunion Of the
Seventeen Indiana veterans, which occurred in
that place yesterday. The exercises were d.
vided between out and indoors, the speeches
and music taking place in the University chapel
while the dinner served under the campus
trees At the noon hour the day was bright.
One better for an out door feast could not have
been desired. The soldiers of the Seyentieth.
VINO were known Gen. Ben HARRISON
regiment, have always paid great attention to
their annual reunions, but this year. with the
welcome the good Irvington folks extended
them, and a renewed desire to meet old com
rades once more, the attendance was uuexpect-
eddy large. OF the veterans there were 25O, and
with the most of them were wives and children
so when the exercises began in the University
chapel that spacious room was filed in every
part. Business in St. Louis prevented General
Harrison. the president of the association, from
attending Col. Samuel Merrill, the vice. presi-
dent therefore took charge and in response to
al address of welcome by Prof Scot Butler,
spoke feelingly OF the peoples kindness to the
veterans. They would, he said, long treasure it
as one of the heartiest welcomes they ever re-
celved.
Comrade John A. Ward, of Princeton, deliv-
which he referred to the pension agitation.
Soldiers were not paupers who required an in
discriminate pension system. Every deserving
man disabled in the service or through the ef-
fects of wounds, long marches and exposure,
should be given proper recognition. but there
were thousands who did not need the assistance
of the government
dianapolis who had assisted in preparing the
bountiful dinner were ready to receive the vet
Grams at the feast under the trees. The eata-
bles included every thing that was paatsble or
delicious An hour was spent In the enjoyment
Of the spread, which veteran said more
like banquet than picnic dinner.
After the feast the soldiers and their several
hundred friends returned to tho chapel when
Colonel Merrill affectingly spoke of the dead
comrades. Short speeches followed, Major
Geo. w. Grubbs LEADING the series with in
terestug talk on The Duty of the Country to
the Soldier" The Seventeen typical
Indiana regiment 1t was NOT better than many
others. but its ranks were filled by the vigorous
youths from colleges and farms. whose guiding
spirit was patriotism. They thought nothing of
the material recompense for themselves alone.
but answered uhselfshly and periodically the
call for troops. He named many of the
vivors who, since the war, had held, or were now
holding. honorable rank in the professions and
business circles. The old soldier had beene
abused in his desire for recognition for want Of
patriotism. Such a charge was undeserved and
uncalled for. It was the duty of the govern
ment to provide for its disabled soldiers,
who had put their lives in jeopardy to it
from it's enemies. A government was not worth
living under that failed to give full recognition
of such service.
Rev. J. FL. Meter, of Sullivan amused the
audience with speech on Camp and Hos
pitaL" 1t WAS full of anecdote aud wltticisms
on the little trials the soldier experienced.
Major u. ). Raglan came many hundred miles
from his home in Missouristo meet his comrades
once more. The last time he saw them together
was ten years ago. and he would not have come
this year had not bad health warned him that
he would probably have no other opportunity Of
enjoying reunion with the Seventeen. He
tried to speak, but his feebleness did not
permit of his speaking above a whisper. While
lie attempting to tell his comrades of the
pleasure their kindly greetings gave him there
WAS not dry eye in the large audience
Major James l.. Mitchell spoke of the Lights
and Shadows Of Camp Life" The lights were
when going forth TO the war there was the JOY
BUSINESS OF an excursion, and in camp when the
fishing. berrying and sports relieved the tedium
of n soldiers duties. The shadows came with
the weary marches, the mud. the bivouac, the
hos pitfalls, the skirmisbes and battles.
John E. Cleland delivered a fine address on
"rhe G. A. r. Boys" He paid eloquent trib-
ute to the soldier he was in and he is
in peace. In 1862 the Grand Army of the Re-
public was organized for war. 1t performed its
duty. Now 1t is organized on the broad basis of
friendship, charity and loyalty. 1t looked after
the interests of comrades, cared for the needy
and brought comfort to many a home that would
otherwise be comfortes5.
Dan Ransdel told of 1.-The Music of the MIME
Ball" His speech was replete with good stories,
and in its close he described the sensations one
felt when going into battle. Following this the
several committees on routine affairs made their
reports and after that the old officers Of the as
ISOLATION were re-eleceed as follows:
President-Gen. Ben Harrison.
Vice presdent-Col. Samuel Merrill
Secretary-Sfoses. G.. McLain.
Treasurer-Msj. James l.. Mitchell.
The soldiers and friends then separated to
meet again the second Thursday of next
October, at Clayton in Hendricks county.
The Third Cavalry's Reunion.